Homemade Apple Cinnamon Ice Cream with hints of caramel and peanut butter mixed in for the dreamiest dairy-free date-sweetened dessert!
You know the classic combination of apple pie + ice cream?
Ever wonder what would happen if you took the pie part out of that equation? You and me both, friend. Don’t worry, I tested it out. For both of us.
Spoiler alert: Subtracting pie = 2x yum. No pie > pie. Pie divided by ice cream = cinna-apple scrumptiousness. (FYI that is the most math I’ve done in 5 years without opening the calculator app on my phone.) 
See here’s the thing – since I live in Florida, I cannot rely on the weather to tell me when to shift into full-force all the fall flavors mode. By the time it feels like fall outside, most of the rest of the world is throwing away week old jack-o-lanterns, wearing shoes that require socks exclusively, and made a minimum of two batches of soup already. So I start cozy baking and pumpkin pie making long before it feels natural.
But I adore cinnamon-spice treats and flip-flop weather, so a place where they overlap is pretty idyllic to me. Although a few more shades of those autumnal leaves falling and crackling on the sidewalk would be great to set the September/October mood, Florida. If you are taking suggestions.
Naturally relying on my internal seasonal cues (a.k.a. craving for pumpkin pie and caramel apples) sometimes means I get a little ahead of myself and post allthepumpkinallatonce. Not to say I regret this ice cream, or those bars, or these cupcakes. Cupcake regret is not even humanly possible – one is always glad one made cupcakes. Even if sometimes one should’ve shared/saved for later more of said cupcakes.
What I am saying is I’ve done a lot of pumpkin-ing considering it’s not even October yet, which means now it’s time to step back, put the can opener down, and dig into some less-hyped but so yummy fall flavors.
Apple cinnamon. Annnnnd GO.
I am a fairly pretty somewhat fairly decisive person, but I had the hardest time picking a name for this creamy stuff. Because it contains a hint of everything that pairs perfectly with apples, but calling it PEANUT BUTTER CARAMEL CINNAMON APPLE PIE ICE CREAM was too much.
Even though that name was too much of a mouthful to say, it is the most magical kind of mouthful for actually eating. Like a caramel apple dunked in a jar of peanut butter and doused with cinnamon. But much much creamier. And somewhat less messy.
If there is one things apples are not, it is creamy. They are killing it on crispy and have a lot going on in the sweet-tart flavor department, but sorely lacking in creaminess. And if you freeze them? Game. Over.
So for texture reasons, I stirred the apples in instead of blending them in. But first I coated them in cinnamon and baked until soft and sweet and all kinds of cozy. And I did all of that in the microwave. Because impatience. But you can do it on the stovetop too.
The blended portion of this recipe involves just four things: peanut butter, medjool dates, cinnamon, and coconut milk. And a pinch of salt if your PB doesn’t come with. I partnered up with So Delicious for this recipe so all hella creamydreamy texture credit goes to those guys and their Culinary Coconutmilk. Oh hey, most fuss-free coconut milk ever. No weird ingredients like the carton stuff. No can opener required like the canned stuff. Not even one of those plastic peel off lid-under-the-lid thingies. Just simple, organic, ice cream ready creaminess in a cute little carton that reminds me of my juice box days.
Sidenote: I’m not drinking coffee at the moment, but I have tested and can tell you this stuff makes a mean matcha latte. Or if you are dreaming of the luscious smoothie possibilities right now, I can vouch for that very yummy use too. If creamy and coconutty as can be is the goal, this stuff has your back. Always. 
I used the Lite Culinary Coconutmilk in this recipe because with the peanut butter in there too it will be plenty creamy. You could use the original kind and decrease the amount of peanut butter if you wanted instead. (But peanut butter ♡) Or you could substitute another nut or seed butter that you love in place of the peanut butter.
I have now made 3 batches of this ice cream with varying amounts of peanut butter and anywhere from 1/2 to 1 cup works. The more peanut butter the creamier obviously, but even the 1/2 cup version was very creamy especially if you break apart into chunks and re-blend the next day (which I always do because getting a smooth scoop shot on video stresses me out and I am going to do everything in my power to increase my chances). If you choose not to re-blend, let it thaw out for 10-15 minutes before scooping for best texture.
The best part? Spooning warm spiced apples on top of cold caramel-y ice cream and serving up a scoop of that crazy-good contrast into your bowl.
And by bowl I mean face.
And by scoop I mean double scoop.
And by happy ice cream making I mean you need this cinna-apple sweet stuff in your life asap!
Apple Cinnamon Ice Cream
- Yield: 4 people 1x
Description
Homemade Apple Cinnamon Ice Cream with hints of caramel and peanut butter mixed in for the dreamiest dairy-free date-sweetened dessert!
Ingredients
Ice Cream
- 2 cups So Delicious Lite Culinary Coconutmilk
- 1/2–1 cup nut/seed butter ((I used creamy peanut butter))
- 8–10 pitted medjool dates
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- Pinch of sea salt ((omit if nut butter is salted))
Cinnamon Apple Chunks
- 1 apple, chopped
- 1 tbsp maple syrup ((optional))
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- For the ice cream, blend all the ingredients in a high speed blender until creamy and smooth.
- Pour into a shallow dish and freezer overnight.
- The following day, either break into chunks and re-blend (creamiest) or allow to thaw for 10-15 minutes before you are going to scoop and serve.
- For the apple chunks, toss all the ingredients in a bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes on high or cook stovetop until soft. Allow to cool.
- Spoon the apples on top of the ice cream and scoop into bowls. Or layer the ice cream and apples parfait style.
- Drizzle with nut butter and enjoy!
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This post is sponsored by So Delicious Dairy Free, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make Feasting on Fruit possible!
Oh my heavens! Apples are my favorite fruit ever…well, really the ONLY fruit I actually truly want to eat in it’s natural (unblended) form, haha and apple cinnamon cooked are even better and then mixed in with ice cream, omg!! I know this may shock you but apple crisp is one of my very favorite desserts ever even though it has nothing to do with chocolate, LOL! So, this apple pie-ish flavored ice cream looks divine. I bet cashew butter would be amazing with this also. I love peanut butter ice cream as well though, I don’t discriminate.:) I think you have a problem though Natalie, you are turning into an ice cream machine, hahaha! A “problem” that I fully support! And you know that the lite coconut milk is my favorite base for my ice creams, so I’m all on board for this addition. I have bought those cute little cartons as well, super yummy! I go through SO much lite coconut milk that I swear I’m going to turn into the stuff, lol. Amazing recipe Natalie and the fact that it is only 7 ingredients is right up my alley!
YESSSS slid in just under the 8 ingredients mark without even trying! Oh I will totally be morphing into coconut milk right along with you–too good, too versatile, what’s not to love? It’s funny, apple desserts were not really a part of my childhood (although apples themselves definitely were) so I’m not sure I’ve ever even had a really good homemade apple pie or crisp. Apple pie is actually on my recipes to experiment with list right now…we’ll see how that goes. But ice cream is easier and kinda more my style/obsession 😀 But in all your free time YOU should post an apple crisp because I know it would be amazing! Oh wait…just checked and you already did! Okay now I just need to make it and put this ice cream on top haha. Happy monday Brandi!
This looks soooo good and easy to make. I am going to try and make this with my son. He will love it.
Super simple–only like 10 minutes of actual work time! I hope you both enjoy it very much Linda 🙂
Omg this is my first comment but I’ve followed your YouTube and blog for a while now and good golly gumdrops does this look amazing! Coconut milk is so useful for dairy free and vegan recipes I use it all the time! Just a quick question, if you were to reblend the next day after breaking it into chunks, does it have to be eaten all then and there, or can you refreeze the rest and just thaw it before eating it?
Hi Shane! Thanks so much for your ongoing support–means a lot😊 If you re-blend that gets rid of any ice crystals that formed while it was freezing, so it will stay creamy after that. Basically re-blend once, put it in the freezer, and just thaw out for 5-10 mins before eating and you will be good. I do still recommend eating it within 3-4 days before it gets all weird and freezer-y. Hope that helps! Also “good golly gumdrops” 👈 officially my new favorite phrase.
So excited to try this recipe! Question though: in your video the ice cream is scooped out so easily, and I’ve made other of your ice cream recipes and it just doesn’t come out as nicely as your does. Before you record it, do you blend it up in the blender to make it creamy, then put it back in the container? Or what is your secret? Submerging it in hot water? Letting in thaw for me hasn’t really made a creamy result… Can you help me? Thank you!
Ohhhh, I just posted this comment a minute after your response to the last one and that pretty much answers my questions. 🙂 I love your work! And thank you!
Ha what funny timing–we were probably typing at the same time 🙂 Anyways, yes I just use a dull knife to break the frozen pan apart into chunks, throw those in the blender, and then re-blend (as if you were making nice cream but without bananas). It’s not totally necessary, but it does make it much smoother and easier to scoop without an ice cream machine. And you can use a lower fat milk I find too. Right after blending it will be soft-serve consistency, so re-freezing for about 1 hour makes for the perfect texture in my experience. Hope that helps and thanks for the kind words <3
NOMG! Yer the devil!!
★★★★★
Hahaha!! Hope you like it😈
I can’t wait to try this! I’m so glad I can still enjoy fall ice creams as a vegan 🙂
★★★★★
Fall ice cream-ing needs to be a thing, right!? Thanks Sarah, and hope you enjoy 🙂
Mmm apple and cinnamon! Looks delicious Natalie, I bet it tastes just like autumn!
Autumn with a big spoonful of peanut butter on top! Thanks Stacey 🙂
YUMMM! I have been adding apples & cinnamon to all the things lately! In fact, just finished some Pumpkin Apple Pie French toast with extra pumpkin spice and cinnamon. It would have been even better with a massive scoop of this ice cream on top!
★★★★★
You just finished that epic sounding breakfast situation and didn’t save a single bite for ME!?! Um I think a remake is going to be necessary because it sounds like all of fall in the form of french toast heaven 🙂 But yes, apple cinnamon EVERYTHING!
Caramel, peanut butter, and apples are what Fall dreams are made of. You’ve outdone yourself!!
Yours too? Well mine take place in a pumpkin patch too, but all caramel, pb, and apples are definitely all there 🙂
What are you drizzling on top at the end of the video? My husband and I live in Florida, too, and we have a mountain of hurricane Irma debris still sitting at the curb awaiting the “claw” truck to come pick it up. The dying leaves in the pile are the only fall colors visible in Florida! LOL
That’s just peanut butter thinned out with a little maple syrup. Totally optional, I mostly just did it for the shot 😀 Ha the florida version of a leaf pile…but not something I’d ever want to jump in lol. Where in FL are you? Ah well I hope they come soon and you didn’t have too much other damage!!
We are in the Lake Mary area of Seminole County, north of Orlando, bear country! No damage to the house or trees, just a lot of rain and big mess to clean up in the yard. We lost power for about 28 hours. But considering the devastation in Texas and Puerto Rico, we were truly blessed. Thanks for the recipe tip!
Oh gotcha! No 28 hours isn’t bad at all, I feel very lucky and grateful too 🙂 Anytime, hope you enjoy!
This looks divine, will be making for the holidays!
★★★★★
YAY!! I hope it turns out a delicious success and compliment to the usual baked holiday dessert options 🙂 Thanks Abbey!
This might be one of our all time favorite recipes! The video is fantastic and the fact that it is dairy free. This will be a Thanksgiving guest favorite!
★★★★★
Thanks so much for the kind words! Definitely a fun way to spice up the usual pie-only thanksgiving dessert options 🙂